~Zayne~



Scrrrrrrrrrhh


The buzzing sound of the alarm as well as the chirping of birds which flew by my window startled me up.


My eyes were heavy, my body too weak to even stand up.

I had barely slept an hour before now. All night all I could think of was Emily.


I am supposed to be worried about the war with the vampire kingdom. But on the contrary, I chose to worry about Emily.

Last night, she curled herself up in a tight spot, her face was tense.

I could sense her heart was pounding, and on sight of me, all the anger stored up in her for me was gone. All I could see in her eyes was relief, relief to see me.

It was as if someone was after her, or threatening her.

Also, according to what Vodka told me, the intruders to his kingdom gave him the information he wanted so he couldn't give their names up.

Last night I was able to piece out that the only information that is worth Vadka's attention was, that about humans.

Vodka never knew we had humans working out the castle, the intruders told me.

And if those intruders gave them up to Vodka it means, they want Emily and Steph gone or worse dead.

All through the night, thoughts of this bubbled up in my mind.

My instinct sense Emily is in trouble and my instincts are never wrong.

KNOCK KNOCK

'Yes?" I was a bit surprised to have a visitor by this time, it was barely breakfast time and knowing Emily she's very sloppy so she can't be here this early.


'My Lord, it's Cedric

I came to ask if you are still dropping by the training ground later?"

Cedric opened the door causing a creaking noise. He stood just by the door.


'Yes I will Cedric, and tell Emily to leave the breakfast to Flora, she will be joining us at the ground"

I said to Cedric's near amusement. 'You're joking right?" Cedric said, trying his best to hold in his laughter.

'NO I'm not! Emily will join us and you and Rowan will train her as you do with the other warriors, am I clear?" my expression changed, my eyes went cold, every inch of smile gone from my face as I looked straight into Cedric's eyes.


'O-k My lord" he said after swallowing an invincible lump, his words wet stuttering.


I had to train Emily like a warrior from her self defence. Aside from the obvious threat of the vampire invasion, someone here was after Emily, someone working from Vodka maybe.


For me it was necessary that she learnt how to defend herself against any threat, even if she has to train like a Lycan.



With such a fragile body can a mere human resist the training I have arranged for her?


At that time, the sky was fully out. I arrived at the door of Emily's room.

I pushed the door open straight away and walked in. However to my surprise she was already up. I had thought I would need to wake her up.

'Emily, follow me"

I gave her a stern look and turned around and walked out, she followed me from a distance. Soon we arrived at the training ground and Emily's eyes widened as she looked surprised that I had brought her here to train. I brought her to the section of training for young and aspiring warriors for the Lycan kingdom.


They were ready with a lot of Lycans on the training ground.

These young Lycans on the training ground are the future warriors of the Lycan kingdom and who knows for some, they might prove their worth sooner rather than later in the war against the vampires.

With the war ever lurking, they have to undergo very rigorous training every day, which makes their bodies almost all very strong. I could only wonder how Emily was going to cope.

In front of them, Emily was like a weak

puppy.


Because of the arrival of Emily and myself to the training ground, they have focused their curious eyes on us.

They paid particular attention to Emily, and many eyes converged on her. I understood their confusion because Emily was a human and had a body smaller than theirs.

Rowan stood by the sharp rock heading over the training ground.

'Rowan! Come here! I need you to help me train this human, as you know you will treat her specially from the rest because she's a human"

'She must our minimum standard of our warriors as soon as possible"


'What? Zayne, as soon as possible? She's just a human, a weak human to be more specific"


Rowan didn't quite believe what he was hearing. He stared wide-eyed at Emily, probably wondering how he's going to train her.

I was a little bit annoyed by Rowan for looking down on Emily.

'She's going to be a fighter some day, she has to meet the standards. You are responsible for that my friend. That's my order?"


'Okay, my lord" Rowan was taken aback by my stern attitude to him.

He walked up to Emily, then looked at her, 'Follow me. Our training is rigorous, I hope you can stick with it"

Emily nodded vigorously, a sign of her bubbling excitement to start training. Her eyes showed with a certain determination.


Rowan led Emily to the interior of the training ground and I stared at her back. I could only hope she can handle it and train to be better for her own good.

I quietly followed them.


The training ground is very well equipped with all kinds of equipment to exercise strength, and a high fence surrounds the place to ensure that the training style will not be seen by spies for another kingdom.

This was the first building after the castle and it is also the most important for our kingdom. J

I looked in the direction where Emily was. Her first test was soon to start.

There was a rule at the Lycan kingdom for all aspiring warriors, that for every newcomer they must be tested in a light battle with someone similar in physique and vital capacity.

My current position was far away from them, and they were unable to spot me, while I was able to see their movements clearly through my wide field of vision.

Emily's first opponent was a very young Lycan, who was having his first training session as well. He was very inexperienced in combat and with Emily he was strictly advised not to use his claws or sharp teeth. But despite that, he was still much stronger than Emily was which pretty much telegraphed the outcome for her.

He was able to defeat her in just a few rounds.

At this point, the young male Lycan had already begun his attack. His powerful fist smashed directly to Emily's gut, dropping her to the floor.

I frowned at the sight, I wished she didn't have to go through this but it's for her own good.


My brows were raised when I saw Emily gradually standing up on her feet, gritting her teeth, her brows furrowed. She showed incredible resilience.

Another fist from the Lycan came in her direction, but the next moment I was stunned by the sight of Emily's body twisting slightly to the left to avoid the blow.

At the same time she kicked out her left foot, hitting the Lycan in the chest without him reacting.

He was barely fazed by her attack and shrugged it off easily but I still couldn't believe Emily could be so skilled.

How could she possess such dodging skills?


But maybe she just got lucky and happened to dodge it?

My eyes widened uncontrollably. I wanted to take a closer look at the situation to determine if it is indeed just a coincidence or not. But what happened next really surprised me.

The young Lycan attacked Emily with great effort but all of his attacks were readily dodged by Emily.

Watching her dodging skills, my heart wavered and I couldn't help but start to appreciate her.


~Emily~


I laid flat on my bed, my hands crossed my hands behind my head, as I looked up at the ceiling, deep in my thoughts.

I was wondering why Zayne stopped me from serving him his breakfast.

Was it about yesterday? Is he expecting me to answer his question first before I can resume my duty?

I startled up to my feet as I heard the creaking noise of the door.

I was surprised to see Zayne standing at my door.

He never visits me or comes anywhere near the maids quarter.

'Follow me!"

Zayne said his voice stern before turning to leave.

What now? Where does he want to take me?

I put on a light sweater before dashing out of my room.

I followed him from a distance, we exited the palace premises, this was the first time I had been outside the castle ever since I got here.

I glanced around the market squares, my eyes widened as I admired it.

We reached a very spacious area, with some few Lycans there.

Zayne had brought me to a training ground, what was he trying to do?

I looked at his sturdy back and felt confused.

Was he going to beat me up here?


'Rowan! Come here! I need you to hell me train this human, as you know you will treat her specially from the rest because she's a human"

'She must our minimum standard of our warriors as soon as possible"

I felt a little incredulous at Zayne's words.

He had brought me here to train me, not beat me. But why was he training me?

I thought about it for a while and couldn't figure it out.

Anyway, today was my lucky day. I needed the training so badly because it was the only thing that would help me defend myself And Steph, sister and keep my mother's words. At my village, Riverview. I was able to practise a bit, I mostly relied on my speed and my quick reflexes.

There I didn't get systematic and modern training as well as the equipment.

So apart from my speed and reflexes, my fighting and physical strength grew very little. I am too weak, and in my current state I can't defend myself and talk less of my sister.

I followed Rowan through a narrow path, which led to a wide area, gathered around where Lycans cheered on.

My heart felt an indescribable excitement for this opportunity.

'Phil, you will be in charge of her test" Rowan's voice reached my ears and in the next moment a young Lycan stood in front of me.

'Hi I'm Phil, I won't take it easy on because your a human remember that"

He was already in an attack position.

'Phew" I took a very deep breath, all the pressure reached me.

'Look out!"

No sooner had Phil finished his words when he charged at me, two powerful fists swinging and then he punched me right in my abdomen with his right fist. I dropped flat against my back on the sandy floor.

I looked up at the crowd, faces of disgust, amusement.

No! I must prove them wrong.

I slowly hurdle myself back to my feet. I stood a bit wobbly trying to gain my balance. But just then another right fist of his was going straight to my face.

I focused my power on my legs and twisted gently to avoid his fist, followed by a kick to his fist, followed by a kick to his chest. But the next moment I felt like I had kicked a hard iron plat. My best kick didn't affect him much.


Dodging Phil's punch again my leg kicked out like a whip to try to attack what appeared to be a weak defensive calf.

But his calf only twitched a little.


Doubts began to creep in me, I'm no match for his strength. How could a mere girl defeat a Lycan.

But I had to persevere and fight to the end.


His attacks became more consistent, I was barely avoiding it, as I struggled to strike back.


'Argh" I moaned out in pain, he suddenly hit me in the shoulder with a punch.

My body swayed as I almost fell flat on the floor.

No! I had to fight back. I gritted my teeth tightly as I struggled back to my feet.


A breakthrough.


My defence was down and Phil took full advantage, kicking out to my right knee as I lost my balance and instantly fell flat on the floor uncontrollably.


I lost!